Ruger Mini 14 help

My dad wants to buy a rifle and he doesn't know much about guns. He wants something more powerful than a .22 and a semi-automatic. He like the mini 14, but what is a good price to buy a used one? Any other suggestions for a good rifle are welcome. Thanks!

Here's one for "buy it now" for $750. New, that seems like a fair price at the present time.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=117188517

Used, around $450?

blacksmithsc

December 2, 2008, 03:08 PM

If you're going to mount a scope on it, make sure and get the ranch rifle, the regular Mini 14 doesn't have any "real" way to mount a scope on it. There are some doofy aftermarket scope mounts, but the rifle will shake them loose.

I'm not a Mini-14 fan. My son and I have owned both a Mini-14 and a Mini-30. If you're not going to plink with the Mini-14 it's fine, but after about the 3rd or 4th shot, the rounds will start walking really badly. Our Mini-30 was better for plinking and was more accurate. The only complaint I had with it was that it didn't like the steel cased 7.62X39.

I have a Stag Arms AR-15 now that I love. The barrel can be so hot from shooting so many rounds through it that you can't touch it, and it's still just as accurate as the first round.

dagger dog

December 2, 2008, 06:00 PM

Wally World will have the Mini on their "order catalog" and I'll bet they will have the cheapest pricing also.

Ditto the Ranch if you want to mount optics.

The Minis are not 1"@100yd rifles but will group 4" with the correct ammo. They are dead reliable and user friendly, very fun to shoot.

They are great truck guns and will do every thing that that type of rifle is intended to do, from home defense to protecting your livestock from predators, and can even be used to take game with the correct ammo.

rioalumni05

December 2, 2008, 06:11 PM

there is a mini14 at a local walmart for $604.97

benEzra

December 2, 2008, 07:20 PM

A new one from Wal-Mart will do you better than a used one, since the new ones have some of the accuracy gremlins fixed. I believe all the new ones have the built-in scope mounting bases and come with scope rings, but you'd want to verify that before you bought.

The mini is an excellent rifle for someone who isn't "into" rifles. Disassembly is straightforward and easily understood, and the controls are simple and intuitive.

nefarmboy

December 2, 2008, 10:25 PM

I bought mine early last month. SS/ranch rifle. Paid $672 (plus shipping and FFL) online. It has the scope mounts and came with free rings. Ruger has a sale on now where you get 2 20rnd mags with it. Very easy to strip (except for the bolt) and clean. I like it.